The cranial nerves

2021 ◽  
pp. 125-156
Author(s):  
Daniel R. van Gijn ◽  
Jonathan Dunne
Keyword(s):  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Jugular Foramen ◽  
Foramen Ovale ◽  
Superior Orbital Fissure ◽  
Stylomastoid Foramen ◽  
Foramen Rotundum ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Base Of The Skull ◽  
Control Balance ◽  
Internal Acoustic Canal

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves that are individually named and numbered using Roman numerals. Only some cranial nerves are mixed in function, i.e. they carry both sensory and motor fibres; others are purely sensory or motor and some may also carry pre- or post-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres. They pass through foramina in the base of the skull and are the olfactory (through cribriform plate to the nasal cavity), optic (through the optic foramen to the eye), oculomotor (through the cavernous sinus and superior orbital fissure to supply the eye), trochlear (as per oculomotor), trigeminal (three main branches that pass through the superior orbital fissure, foramen rotundum and foramen ovale, respectively), abducens (as per oculomotor), facial (through stylomastoid foramen to supply muscles of facial expression), vestibulocochlear (through the internal acoustic canal to control balance and hearing), glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory (all pass through the jugular foramen) and hypoglossal (through the hypoglossal canal to control movements of the tongue) nerves.

Generator sites of early scalp potentials evoked from the three trigeminal branches

1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 718-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Leandri
Keyword(s):  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Foramen Ovale ◽  
Superior Orbital Fissure ◽  
Entry Zone ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maxillary Nerve ◽  
Root Entry Zone ◽  
Foramen Rotundum ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Stimulation Of

Object. The aim of this study was to seek evidence about the generators of the first three components of the scalp's early trigeminal evoked potentials (TEPs) obtained by stimulation of the supraorbital (SW1, SW2, and SW3), infraorbital (W1, W2, and W3) and mental (MW1, MW2, and MW3) nerves. Methods. Simultaneous scalp and depth recordings were measured during surgical procedures in which thermorhizotomy and microvascular decompression were performed. Conclusions. Direct evidence was found that the origin of MW1 lies in the mandibular nerve at the foramen ovale, whereas the origin of W1 in the maxillary nerve at the foramen rotundum and the origin of SW1 in the ophthalmic nerve at the superior orbital fissure could only be inferred. The generators of SW2, W2, and MW2 were found to be on the nerve root at a distance of 10 mm from the pons. Calculations based on conduction velocity suggested that the generators of SW3, W3, and MW3 were inside the brainstem, at distances between 16 mm and 20 mm from the root entry zone. Recordings obtained in eight patients with discrete surgical lesions of the trigeminal pathway confirmed the sites of origin of the early components and further proved that only the fastest group of fibers is responsible for scalp responses.

Jugular foramen schwannomas

1984 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1045-1053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew H. Kaye ◽  
Joseph F. Hahn ◽  
Sam E. Kinney ◽  
Russell W. Hardy ◽  
Janet W. Bay
Keyword(s):  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Cleveland Clinic ◽  
Jugular Foramen ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Exact Nature ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerve ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Base Of The Skull

✓ Thirteen patients with schwannomas of the jugular foramen were operated on at the Cleveland Clinic between 1974 and 1983. The authors' experience in managing these rare tumors is presented. Three major growth patterns of jugular foramen schwannoma were seen, and it is postulated that the position of the tumor depends on its point of origin from the nerves as they pass through the pars nervosa of the jugular foramen. The more distal lesions will expand inferiorly out of the base of the skull, and the more proximal lesions will enlarge into the posterior fossa. Tumors in the mid region will tend to expand primarily into bone. The schwannoma was primarily intracranial in six patients. In five patients the tumor expanded the bone at the base of the skull, with only a small intracranial component, and in two patients the tumor was primarily extracranial, with a small extension into the bone or posterior fossa. The presentation of the patients varied according to the tumor growth pattern. Deafness, vertigo, and ataxia were present in all patients with a major intracranial component, and in most of these there were only minimal deficits of the jugular foramen nerves. By contrast, lower cranial nerve involvement, including hoarseness and weakness of the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, occurred in patients in whom the tumor was primarily within the bone or extracranial. Three of the five patients with the major component of the schwannoma within the bone also had deafness. Symptomatic history was longest in those with tumor mainly involving the bone at the base of the skull, and shortest in patients with entirely extracranial tumor. Surgical resection was accomplished with a joint neurosurgical-otological approach, usually combining a posterior fossa exploration with either a translabyrinthine transcochlear or infralabyrinthine procedure. The exact nature of the operation depended upon the presence of intracranial tumor and on the extent of bone or extracranial involvement. Total excision was performed in all cases. There was no operative mortality, and surgery resulted in loss of function of the ninth, 10th, and 11th cranial nerves in most patients. The major postoperative morbidity consisted of swallowing difficulties and sputum aspiration.

Carotid fibromuscular dysplasia and paresis of lower cranial nerves (Collet-Sicard syndrome)

1982 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 850-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Havelius ◽  
Bengt Hindfelt ◽  
Jan Brismar ◽  
Sten Cronqvist
Keyword(s):  
Fibromuscular Dysplasia ◽  
Internal Carotid ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Jugular Foramen ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerves ◽  
Base Of The Skull ◽  
Symptoms And Signs

✓ A patient suffered the acute onset of unilateral pareses of the ninth through 12th cranial nerves (Collet-Sicard syndrome). Ipsilateral retrograde jugular phlebography and carotid angiography revealed irregular aneurysmal changes of the internal carotid artery at the base of the skull, causing compression of the internal jugular vein below the jugular foramen. This finding is discussed in relation to the clinical symptoms and signs, and possible mechanisms are examined. Family history as well as the clinical and roentgenological findings were compatible with a diagnosis of fibromuscular dysplasia.

scholarly journals Osteological studies of skull base neurovascular area in reference to infratemporal approach to skull basec

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-93
Author(s):  
Harsh Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Jugular Foramen ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Carotid Canal ◽  
Stylomastoid Foramen ◽  
Lateral Skull Base ◽  
Infratemporal Approach ◽  
Relationship Of

Surgical approaches to the lateral skull base often lead to tearing of vessels and piecemeal removal of the tumour. This study is aimed to delineate exact relationship of the various foramina at the lateral skull base. The coronal dimensions of the jugular foramina are larger as compared to sagittal with right sided dominance also noticed in the case of carotid canal. The width of “Keel” separating the carotid and jugular foramina normally varies from 0.4 to1.4 centimetres and may not always suggest the erosion of the foramen of skull base scans, unless the erosion is associated with irregularity or demineralization the thickness of this keel really depends upon relative size of the vessels and location of foramina. Area between stylomastoid foramen, carotid canal and jugular foramen is roughly wedge shaped. The angle subtended by carotid and jugular at the stylomastoid foramen is about 36.84whereas the location of stylomastoid foramen and internal carotid axis pose an angle of 83:16. The angle subtended by stylomastoid and jugular at carotid on an average 59:31. The space between these structures is measured to be 0.642centimetres which can be verified on tomograms. By using these measurements, the precise location of the upper end of the vessels could be predicted, whereas the superior stump could be clamped with minimal exposure of the skull base and identification and location of the last four cranial nerves is found out. This could avoid injuries and subsequent morbidity while carrying out surgery in this region.

scholarly journals Foramen Vesalius - constant or variable foramen

2020 ◽  
pp. 64-64
Author(s):  
Milos Maletin ◽  
Milos Vukovic ◽  
Dusica Maric ◽  
Dimitrije Jeremic ◽  
Kosta Petrovic
Keyword(s):  
Significant Difference ◽  
Emissary Veins ◽  
Foramen Rotundum ◽  
Axial Ct ◽  
Percutaneous Trigeminal Rhizotomy ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Base Of The Skull ◽  
Pterygoid Plexus ◽  
Foramen Of Vesalius

Introduction/Objective. The foramen of Vesalius (FV) is a variable foramen located at the base of the skull, anteromedial to the foramen ovale, and lateral to the foramen rotundum. Through this foramen, passes one of the emissary veins, which establishes communication between the cavernous sinus and the pterygoid plexus. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of this foramen in adults depending on gender, along with the number of foramina, distributions relative to the side of the skull and diameter of the foramen. Methods. A material used in the study were digital CT scans of adult paranasal cavities from the archives of the Radiology Center, archived in the PACS software system. We analyzed axial CT sections of 1 mm thickness. The research included 500 subjects (250 males and 250 females). Results. The foramen of Vesalius was present in 67.6% of respondents. In 50.9% cases, the foramen was bilateral and in 49.1% it was unilateral. The average oblique diameter of the foramen in men was 1.75 ? 0.59 mm and in women 1.56 ? 0.48 mm. In 22 subjects (6.51%) the foramina were doubled, and 2 (0.60%) were tripled. Conclusion. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of the foramen of Vesalius concerning gender. The mean diameter of the foramen was statistically higher in males. The presence of this foramen is important for neurosurgeons because, during the percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy, the needle can pass through this foramen, injure the surrounding blood vessels, and lead to intracranial hemorrhage.

Posttraumatic Delayed Jugular Foramen Syndrome in a Toddler

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Toledo-Gotor ◽  
Nerea Gorría ◽  
Miren Oscoz ◽  
Katia Llano ◽  
Pablo la Fuente Rodríguez-de ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Examination ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Jugular Foramen ◽  
Exceptional Case ◽  
Cerebellar Tonsil ◽  
Occipital Condyle ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cranial Nerve Palsies ◽  
Blunt Head Trauma ◽  
Condyle Fracture

Abstract Background Multiple lower cranial nerve palsies have been attributed to occipital condyle fractures in older children and adults, but no clinical details of other possible mechanisms have been described in infants. Case Report A 33-month-old boy suffered blunt head trauma. A bilateral skull base fracture was diagnosed, with favorable outcome during the first days after trauma. On the sixth day, the patient began to refuse drinking and developed hoarseness. Physical examination and additional investigations revealed paralysis of left VII, IX, X, and XI cranial nerves. A follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan disclosed a left petrous bone fracture involving the lateral margin of the jugular foramen, and a cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study showed a left cerebellar tonsil contusion. He improved after methylprednisolone was started. Three months later, he was asymptomatic, although mild weakness and atrophy of the left sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles remained 1 year later. Discussion A posttraumatic “jugular foramen syndrome” is rare in children, but it has been reported shortly after occipital condyle fracture, affecting mainly IX, X, and XI cranial nerves. In this toddler, delayed symptoms appeared with unilateral involvement. While an occipital fracture was ruled out, neuroimaging findings suggest the hypothesis of a focal contusion as a consequence of a coup-contrecoup injury. Conclusion This exceptional case highlights the importance of gathering physical examination, anatomical correlation, and neuroimaging to yield a diagnosis.

The So-Called Cavernous Sinus: A Review of the Controversy and Its Implications for Neurosurgeons

Neurosurgery ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 712-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Taptas
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Internal Carotid Artery ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Internal Carotid ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Sella Turcica ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Cranial Fossa ◽  
Base Of The Skull ◽  
Extradural Space

Abstract The so-called cavernous sinus is a venous pathway, an irregular network of veins that is part of the extradural venous network of the base of the skull, not a trabeculated venous channel. This venous pathway, the internal carotid artery, and the oculomotor cranial nerves cross the medial portion of the middle cranial fossa in an extradural space formed on each side of the sella turcica by the diverging aspects of a dural fold. In this space the venous pathway has only neighborhood relations with the internal carotid artery and the cranial nerves. The space itself must be distinguished from the vascular and nervous elements that it contains. The revision of the anatomy of this region has not only theoretical interest but also important clinical implications.

scholarly journals Midline Suboccipital Subtonsillar Approach in Semisitting Position for Resection of Jugular Tubercle Meningioma: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Lieber ◽  
Maximiliano Nunez ◽  
Marcos Tatagiba
Keyword(s):  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Jugular Foramen ◽  
Contralateral Side ◽  
Craniocervical Junction ◽  
Moderate Deviation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Proliferation Index ◽  
Focal Neurological Deficit ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Chronic Medication

AbstractWe present a case of a large jugular tubercle meningioma that was removed through a midline suboccipital subtonsillar approach in semisitting position. The patient is a 49-year-old woman with chronic, medication-resistant cephalgias but devoid of any subjective focal neurological deficit. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an extra-axial lesion, originating from the left jugular tubercle was discovered. There was significant obliteration of the peripontine cisternal space, and compression of the adjacent pontomedullary junction; the lesion also extended into the left jugular foramen.On physical exam, an absent gag reflex was noted on the left, as well as a moderate deviation of the uvula to the contralateral side (partial Vernet's syndrome).A gross-total resection was achieved, histopathology confirmed a World Health Organization (WHO) grade I angiomatous meningioma with a low-proliferation index. The patient was discharged home 4 days after surgery with intact function of the lower cranial nerves (CN) following immediate and complete resolution of the preexisting partial CNs IX and X deficits. At 2-year follow-up, there was no indication of intradural residual or recurrence.In summary, the midline suboccipital subtonsillar approach is a simple and effective tool with limited morbidity in the armamentarium for the microsurgical management of pathologies residing in the posterior cranial fossa or the craniocervical junction.Major limitations exist for lesions extending above the internal acoustic canal or those of fibrous consistence featuring widespread adhesion to the ventral brainstem or vascular encasement. Provided the necessary anesthesiological precautions and intraoperative procedures the semisitting position is safe and effective.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/bbVXagwhDCo.

scholarly journals Intracranial nonvestibular neurinomas: Young neurosurgeons’ experience

2014 ◽  
Vol 05 (03) ◽  
pp. 231-243
Author(s):  
Forhad Hossain Chowdhury ◽  
Mohammod R. Haque ◽  
Khandkar A. Kawsar ◽  
Mainul H. Sarker ◽  
Mahmudul Hasan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Jugular Foramen ◽  
Clinical Profile ◽  
Clinical Feature ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Total Resection

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: Neurinoma arising from other than nonvestibular cranial nerves is less prevalent. Here we present our experiences regarding the clinical profile, investigations, microneurosurgical management, and the outcome of nonvestibular cranial nerve neurinomas. Materials and Methods: From January 2005 to December 2011, the recorded documents of operated nonvestibular intracranial neurinomas were retrospectively studied for clinical profile, investigations, microneurosurgical management, complications, follow-up, and outcomes. Results: The average follow-up was 24.5 months. Total number of cases was 30, with age ranging from 9 to 60 years. Sixteen cases were males and 14 were females. Nonvestibular cranial nerve schwannomas most commonly originated from trigeminal nerve followed by glossopharyngeal+/vagus nerve. There were three abducent nerve schwannomas that are very rare. There was no trochlear nerve schwannoma. Two glossopharyngeal+/vagus nerve schwannomas extended into the neck through jugular foramen and one extended into the upper cervical spinal canal. Involved nerve dysfunction was a common clinical feature except in trigeminal neurinomas where facial pain was a common feature. Aiming for no new neurodeficit, total resection of the tumor was done in 24 cases, and near-total resection or gross total resection or subtotal resection was done in 6 cases. Preoperative symptoms improved or disappeared in 25 cases. New persistent deficit occurred in 3 cases. Two patients died postoperatively. There was no recurrence of tumor till the last follow-up. Conclusion: Nonvestibular schwannomas are far less common, but curable benign lesions. Surgical approach to the skull base and craniovertebral junction is a often complex and lengthy procedure associated with chances of significant morbidity. But early diagnosis, proper investigations, and evaluation, along with appropriate decision making and surgical planning with microsurgical techniques are the essential factors that can result in optimum outcome.

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